Positive shutoff ported casing apparatus



Oct. 13, 1953 R. c. BAKER ET AL POSITIVE sHuToFF PORTED cAsING APPARATUSFiled Aprilzs, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l EusE/v C. MEQ, BEM/AM/N L. 140.97mv

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Oct. .13, 1953 R. c. BAKER ET AL POSITIVE sHUToPP POPTED cAsINGAPPARATUS Filed April 23, 1948 INVENTORS.

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BY I n A f Oct. 13, 1953 R, c. BAKER ET AL POSITIVE sHuToPP PoPTEDCASING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 23, 1948 KEB, AUST/N,INVENTORS. Y

Rez/BEN C. BA EENJAM/N L.

PTTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 13, 1953 POSITIVE SHUTOFF PORTED CASIN APPARATUS Reuben C.Baker, Coalinga, and Benjamin Lewis Austin, Long Beach, Calif.,assignors to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Vernon, Calif., a corporation ofCalifornia Application April 23, 1948, Serial No. 22,886

(Cl. 16S-1) 17 Claims.

The present invention relates to devices adapted to form parts ofcasings, liners, and similar conduits located in well bores, and moreparticularly to side-ported cementing devices for use in cementingconduits in well bores.

It has -been proposed to close a side port inl a casing string byshifting a sleeve valve hydraulically across the port. The effectivearea of the sleeve valve, or parts connected to the sleeve valve,subject to pressure, has been relatively small, which imposeslimitations upon the total hydraulic force that can be applied to it. Iiconsiderable resistance to movement of the sleeve valve is encountered,it may be diiiicult, or impossible, to shift the valve to port closingposition.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to effect a substantialincrease in the hydraulic force applicable to the sleeve valve, inshifting 1t to a desired position, without increasing the unit pressureof the fluid. In fact, a greater total force is available with a lesserunit pressure than heretofore neecssary.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved side portedapparatus having ports that can be opened and then closed positivelyagainst passage of fluids in both directions between the interior andexterior of the apparatus.

Certain types of side ported casing cementing apparatus embody a lowersleeve valve initially closing the ports,` and also an upper sleevevalve which is capable of determining the closing of 'the ports. Inmoving the upper sleeve valve toward the lower sleeve valve, fluid maybe trapped therebetween, which might preclude downward movement of theupper valve to the desired extent.

A further object of the invention is to prevent the entrapped iiuid frominterfering with full movement of the upper sleeve valve, whenever suchmovement is necessary.

Another object of the invention is to dissipate automatically theentrapped fluid from the re gion between the two sleeve valves.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved plug, ortrip device, particularly useful in closing the central passage througha sleeve valve, which enables the fluid trapped between the upper andlower valve to be dissipated.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an improvedcementing plug especially useful at the upper end of a charge ofcementitious material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cementing plus that is-sldable along the wall of a casing string and capable of cooperatingwith a sleeve valve to elect its hydraulic shifting from port closingposition, without interfering with the passage oi fluid through theports.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a formin which it is embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanyingand forming part of the present specification, and will now be describedin detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but itis to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken ina limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best dened by theappended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a ported well apparatus, withthe ports closed and the parts arranged for running the apparatus in awell bore;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, with the ports open;

Fig. 3 is a. View similar to Fig. 1, with the parts occupying anotherposition;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, with the outer sleeve valve movedpartially downward to a position closing the ports;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, disclosing one manner of closing theports;

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 1, disclosing another manner of closingthe ports;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the tripping devicefor the lower inner sleeve valve member; and

Fig. 8 is a cross-section taken along the line 8-8 on Fig. 1.

As disclosed in the drawings, a casing collar A has its upper land lowerends threadedly connected to the ends of upper and lower casing sectionsB, -C forming part of a casing string adapted to be run in a well boreto position the collar at the desired location therein.

The collar A includes a tubular member Ill whose lower end consists of acoupling I I threaded on to the upper end of the lower casing section C.A stop member I2 is secured to the exterior of the coupling, as by theuse of welding material I 3, to serve a purpose described below.

The tubular member I0 has a plurality of circularly spaced side ports I4through which fluids are adapted to pass between the interior Iand eX-terior of the collar apparatus. These ports are closed initially by alower inner sleeve valve member I5 having seal rings I-B, I1 disposed insuitable ring grooves I8 on opposite sides of the ports.

These rings may be of rubber and of round cross section to preventleakage thereby in both longitudinal directions.

The lower inner sleeve valve member |'5 is retained in position tolocate its seal rings I6, i1 on opposite sides of the ports i4 by one ormore frangible devices in the form of shear screws I9 threaded throughthe tubular member I and extending into the valve member. This member lalso carries a side seal '20 in a .groove 2l below the shear screws I 9.The seal 2|) has an upwardly extending lip 22 for sealing with the wall'of the tubular member |0.

It is to be noted that the inside diameter of the tubular member i9,atthe region where it is engaged by the lower seal ring I1, is less thanthe internal diameter of a groove 23 in the member IB immediately belowthis region. Also, thesleeve valve member I5` is reduced in externaldiameter to form a peripheral groove 24 below .the lower seal ring I1,in which a sp.lit,`inherently expansible stop ring 25 is located.- 5 Thestop ring has an upper inner inclined surface 26 tapering downwardly andinwardly for cooperation with a corresponding tapered surface 21 on thebase of the peripheral groove 24. The length of the groove 24 is muchgreater than the length of the stop ring to permit downward movement ofthe sleeve valve member I5 relative to the stop ring.

The ring 25 is received within the enlarged diameter portion 23 of thetubular member. This enlarged portion is much longer than the height ofthe stop ring. The stop ring may rest upon a shoulder 28 provided by thelower end of the peripheral groove 24, the upper end of the stop ringbeing engageable with an upper shoulder 2S of the peripheral groove 24.lDownward movement of the stop ring is limited by its engagement with ashoulder 3B formed by the lower end of the tubular member groove 23.

The shear screws IB are adapted to be disrupted and the lower innersleeve valve member I5 moved downwardly to a position in which the upperseal ring I6 is disposed below the ports I4. The ports are then open tothe passage of fluid between the interior and exterior of the apparatus.i

After the ports have been opened, it is desired to reclose them. Toaccomplish this purpose, an external sleeve valve member 3| is providedon the tubular member lll. This external member has a plurality oflongitudinally spaced seal rings 32, 33 disposed in internal grooves 34and slidably engageable with the outer surface of the tubular memberlil. The outer member 3| has an upwardly extending cylinder 35 integraltherewith, or otherwise suitably secured thereto, which is slidablealong an enlarged portion ma, of the tubular member.

The outer member 3| is. retained initially in an upper position, inwhich it does not close the ports I4, by one or more shear screws 3Sthread ed through the cylinder 35 into the enlarged portion Ilia of thetubular member. These screws are disruptable hydraulically by fluidpressure, including fluid under' pressure entering through one or moreelongate ports, slots or openings 31 in the tubular member into acylinder space 38. This space is formed between the enlarged portionlila of the tubular member, the cylinder skirt 35 and the part 3|a ofthe sleeve vvalve member carrying the seal rings 32, 33. Leakage in adownward direction between the sleeve valve member 3| and tubular memberI0 is prevented by the seal ring 32. Leakage in an upward di:

rection therebetween is prevented by a seal ring 39 disposed in aperipheral groove 40 in the enlarged portion Illa of the tubular member,which sealingly engages the inner surface of the cylinder 35.

When sufficient hydraulic force is exerted on the outer sleeve valvemember 3 I, the shear screws 36 will be disrupted and the outer sleevevalve member 3| shifted downwardly to a position in which its sealvrings 32, 33 are located on opposite sides of the ports I4, closing suchports against passage of fluids therethrough in both directions betweenthe interior and exterior of the apparatus` This position of the sleevevalve member 3| is determined by engagement of its depending skirt 4|with the upper end of the stop member i2. It is to be noted that theupper portion of the skirt 4| is spaced outwardly from the tubularmember Ill so as to avoid interfering with passage of fluids through theports I4 after they.v have been opened. This fluid iiows throughtheports I4 and through slots 41a in the lower end of the skirt. The endis slidable upon the member I0 and has a lower, knife-like edge 4Ilcapable of cutting through any materials that might coat the member iii,or tend to prevent downward movement of the outer sleeve valve member3|'.

`After the outer sleeve valve member 3| has been shifted downwardly toport closing position, it is prevented from moving upwardly again by alatch or lock ring 42 disposed within a peripheralgroove 43 in thetubular member lil above its seal ring 39. This lock ring consists of asplit, inherently expansible member having a reduced diameter lowerportion 42a forming a shoulder 44 with the upper portion 42h. Theshoulder is inclined outwardly in a downward direction to a slightextent.

When the outer sleeve valve member 3| has been forced downwardly toessentially its fullest extent, the upper end 35a. of the cylinder isdisposed below the shoulder 44 of the split lock ring, but not below thelower end of its reduced diameter portion 42a. As a matter of fact, theupper part of the cylinder 35 will be in engagement with the outersurface of the reduced diameter por tion 42a, the lock ring 42inherently expanding outwardly to a certain extent upon riding of thecylinder oi its upper portion 42h. Any tendenoy for the outer sleevevalve member 3| to move upwardly will be limited by engagement of theupper cylinder end 35a with the lock ring shoulder 44. the lock ringbeing forced against the upper end of the peripheral groove 43. Tovinsure against inward forcing of the lock ring 42 from engagement withthe end 35a of the cyl inder, the latter is tapered in the samedirection as the shoulder 44, so that the two will remain in snugcontact with one another.

The force of fluid under pressure is prevented from acting upon theexternal sleeve valve member 3| by an upper inner sleeve valve member 45having longitudinally spaced seal rings 46 disposed in ring grooves 41on opposite sides of the elongate ports or slots 31. This valve memberis held in position by one or more shear screws 48 threaded through thetubular member IIl into the. upper valve member 45. Disruption of theAshear screws 48 and downward shifting of the through the latter intothe cyclinder space 38,

in order to assist in shearing the cylinder screws 38 and moving theouter sleeve'valve member 3| rality of inner keyways 80, in which arereceived the lug or arm portions 8| of keys 82 secured to the upperinner sleeve member 45 and extending outwardly through the elongateports or slots 31. Each key includes a leg portion 83 depending from thearm portion 8| and adapted for movement within the tubular member Illwith the upper inner valve member 45.

It is to be noted that the arm 8| of each key is disposed originallyabove the lower end or shoulder 84 of the keyway 80. This arrangement isprovided for the purpose of permitting the inner valve member 45 to movedownwardly to an extent suflicient to shift the upper seal ring 46 belowthe upper ends of the ports 31, and thereby all-ow iiuid to pass intothe annular cylinder space 38 for action upon the sleeve 3| to effectshifting, or at least assisting in shifting, the sleeve valve 3|downwardly to port closing position. As described in detail below, oncethe elongate ports 31 are open, iiuid under pressure may enter thecylinder space 38 through these ports, disrupt the shear screws 36 andshift the outer valve member 3| downwardly to port closing position. Ifthis hydraulic force is insufllcient, then pressure may be imposed uponthe entire cross-sectional area of the upper inner sleeve valve 45,which will be transmitted to the external sleeve valve 3| through thekeys 82 and abutting shoulders 84.

As stated abo-ve, the lower sleeve valve member I5 is held initially inclosed position by its shear screws I 9. Similarly, the upper sleevevalve member 45 is held in closed position over the elongate ports 31 byshear screws 48, prefy erably closely adjacent or in abutting relationwith the castellated upper end |501. of the lower valve member I5. Theupper valve has a central bore 49 whose wall tapers downwardly andinwardly. Similarly, the lower valve member I5 'has a downwardly andinwardly tapering central bore 50, which, in effect, forms acontinuation of the upper member bore 49. The cylinder screws 35 holdthe outer valve member 3| in its upper position. The parts are allarranged as illustrated in Fig. 1, occupying their relative positionsfor lowering the apparatus into a well bore.

With both sets of ports I4, 31 closed, a iiuent material, such as cementslurry, may be pumped directly into the casing string and through thecentral bores or passages 43, 50 in both sleeve valve members 45, I5,for discharge from the well casing at some point below the collar, as,for example, from a casing shoe (not shown). This charge of cementslurry will pass upwardly through the annulus around the casing stringand may extend approximately to the location of the collar A, orslightly thereabove.

When it is desired to eject a second or upper charge of cement slurrythrough the collar ports I4, a trip device or plug member 5| is droppedinto the well casing and is yallowed to gravitate through the iiuidtherein into engagement with the wall of the central bore 50 in thelower sleeve valve member I5. As disclosed in the drawings, this tripdevice may consist 'of a substantially spherical head 52 having arubber, or equivalent, spherical seal member 53 clamped thereon by asuitable depending extension 54 threaded on a neck 55 projectingdownwardly from the head 52. The interior of the extension may be filledwith lead 56, or similar weighting material, to insure rapid gravitationor descent of the trip device 5| through the fluid in the well casing.

The seal 53 on the trip device has a lesser external diameter than theminimum diameter of the tapered bore 43 in the upper sleeve valve member45, to insure its complete passage through the latter. The sphericalseal, however, has a diameter greater'than the minimum diameter of thebore 50 through the lower valve member I5. As a result, the trip membercomes to rest within the lower valve member with its head 52 and seal 53closing its central bore or passage 50. Pressure may now be applied tothe fluid in the casing above the trip member 5| and sleeve I5 in anamount suiiicient to shear the screws I9 vand shift the lower sleevevalve member I5 material, may now be discharged outwardly through theopen ports I4, passing through the annular space between the tubularmember II! land the depending skirt 4I of the outer valve member 3 I,and through the slots 4 Ia in the lower end of this skirt, for upwardmovement through the annulus around the collar A and casing string.'

Upon discharging the required quantity of cement slurry, the outersleeve valve 3| is forced downwardly to port closing position. This act4may be accomplished by placing a top cementing 'plug 58 at the upper endof the charge of cement slurry pumped outwardly through the ports I4.This plug will come to rest within the bore 49 of the upper sleeve valvemember 45, allowing the fluid in the casing string above the collar A tobe pressurized to an extent suiiicient for shearing the screws 48, toshift the upper inner valve memberv 45 downwardly to a position in whichthe upper ends of the elongate ports 31 are open The top cementing plug58 disclosed in the drawings is of a composite character. It includes alower nose 59, which may be made of magnesium, aluminum or othersuitable, readily drillable material, having a tapered periphery |58adapted to conform to the taper of the passage 49 in the upper sleeve45. This nose is so proportioned as to seat within the passage and causethe top cementing plug 58 to come to rest therewithin. From its taperednose, the lower end of the plug is integral with a central shank 6|terminating in a flange |52, received within a companion bore and recess53 of a flexible portion of the cementing plug. These two parts aresuitably vulcanized together.

The flexible plug 65 is formed essentially of rubber or similarmaterial. It has an inwardly 4compressilole body portion 10 defined bytapered forward and rearward surfaces 1|, 12 merging l.into an annularperipheral sealing surface 13 7 sli'dably engageable with the wall ofthe well easing. The plug 65 also has a tail portion 14 terminating in afluted guide15. Its annular sealing portion includes an upwardlyextending lip 16 adapted to be forced outwardly by fluid pressureagainst the wall of the casing.

The tapered nose 59 on the lower plug portion has a greater diameterthan the minimum diameter through the upper sleeve valve 45. As aresult, it comes to rest within` the tapered bore 49 of the latter,closing it against passage of fluid and allowing pressure to be built upin the casing fluid above the cementing plug 58, suicient in extent toshear the screws 48 and shift the upper member 45 downwardly to aposition limited by engagement of the key lugs 8l with the shoulders 84forming thelower end of the keyways 80 in the outer sleeve 3l (see Fig.3). When in this position, the upper ends of the elongate ports 31 areexposed, allowing iiuid to pass into the cylinder space 38 for thepurpose of shearing the cylinder screws 36 and moving the outer sleeve3l downwardly to port closing position, such as disclosed in Fig. 5.

A standard top oementing plug would not permit fluid to pass by it andenter the ports 31. The flexible plug 65 described above, however, willhave its body 1I! and annular sealing portion 13 deformed inwardly to asufficient extent to compress the rubber material into the taperedpassage 49 through the upper inner valve member 45, sealing off thispassage completely, while removing the annular sealing portion 13 of theplug from engagement with the casing wall or inner wall of the tubularmember Ill. The plug, therefore, offers no restriction` or barrier topassage of fluid through the ports 31, for action upon the outer sleevevalve member 3l.

In connection with the shifting of the outer sleeve valve 3l downwardlyto port closing position, several conditions might be encountered in thewell bore, tending to resist this action. As disclosed in Fig. 3, theupper inner sleeve valve 45 has been shifted downwardly to a position inwhich the key lugs BI engage the lower shoulders 84 in the outer sleevevalve member, which, as described above, opens the ports 31. Theapplication of pressure to the casing fluid above the top cementing plug58 not only acts upon the annular cross-sectional area of the cylinder35 in the space 38, but also upon the entire crosssectional area of theflexible plug 65 and inner sleeve member 45. This pressure disrupts theshear screws 36 and shifts the upper inner valve member 45 and the outervalve member 3i downwardly as a unit, until the lower seal ring 33 onthe outer member is disposed below the ports i4, thereby closing them.

During movement of the outer valve member 3| and inner valve member 45to the position just referred to, the fluid in the collar between theupper and lower valve members 45, I5 can pass outwardly through the openports I4. However, since the lower seal ring 33 is now disposed belowthe ports I4, this fluid is trapped between -the upper and lower sleeves45, I5 and prevents further downward movement of the upper inner sleeve45. Thereafter, the fluid pressure can act effectively on the annularcylinder 35 alone, to force the outer valve member 3i downwardly to portclosing position, such as disclosed in Fig. 5. The lost motionconnection 8B, SI between the inner and outer sleeves 45, 3I permitssuch occurrence without further downward shifting of the inner member45.l Under some circumstances,

however, insumcient pressure can be built up for shifting the outervalve member 3l completely to its port closing position.

Well conditions, such as a high hydrostatic head of cement slurry aroundthe exterior of the casing string above the ports I4, or hardened cementfrom the lower cementing operation around the tubular member ID belowthe outer sleeve valve 3I, and the like, may offer resistance todownward movement of the outer sleeve valve upon application ofhydraulic pressure in the annular cylinder 35 alone. To insure anadequate hydraulic force to shift the outer sleeve valve member 3Idownwardly to full port closing position, it is desired to transmit theforce of the fluid pressure acting across the entire area of the plug 58and sleeve 45 to the outer sleeve valve. This can be done uponeliminating the entrapped fluid from the region between the upper andlower inner sleeve valve members 45, I5.

This fluid can be removed in several manners, after the ports I4 havebeen closed by the outer sleeve valve 3l (Fig. 4). As disclosed mostclearly in Figs. 2 and 6, the lower plug or trip device 5l includes anupper central passage 9B communieating with side ports SI below thespherical seal 53. This Vcentral passage is originally closed by a. plugor valve head 92 held in position by frangible means, such as a shearpin 53 extending between the spherical head 52 and the plug 92. Leakagearound the plug can be prevented by a suitable side seal 94 engaging thewall of the central passage 95.

When suflicent pressure is imposed on the iiu1d entrapped between theupper and lower sleeve valve members 45, I5, the frangible pin 93 isdisrupted, and the plug 52 in the trip device moved downwardly into anenlarged bore 95 Vformed in the extension 54 (Fig. 6). The uuid betweenthe sleeve valve members '45, I5 can then pass through the open passageS5, through the enlarged bore 55, and through the ports 9i into thecasing below the collar A. The release of such iiuid permits the upperinner sleeve valve member 45 and top ceinenting plug 58 to movedownwardly under the action of the hydraulic pressure thereabove, thehydraulic force being transmitted from the upper valve member throughthe keys 82 to the outer valve member 3|, the inner and outer valvemembers being moved downwardly to the fullest extent, in which the upperend of the cylinder 35 is disposed below the latch shoulder 44 (see Fig.6)

The fluid in the casing string below the collar A may also be a trappedbody of fluid, but it is of such length (several hundred or severalthousand feet) that the small quantity of fluid trapped between theupper and lower sleeves 45, I5 can still be forced through the tripdevice passages Si), 95, SI downwardly into it. The fluid below thecollar A is ordinarily of such character as to be partiallycompressible, even if only to a relatively minute extent.

The entrapped fluid may also be released by forming the lower tripdevice 5l with a chamber V9S that can have the required volume, andwhich is normally at atmospheric pressure. This chamber is vclosed bythe plug 92 held in place by the shear pin 93, in the same manner asdescribed in connection with the other trip device.

Upon application of suiiicient pressure to the top cementing plug 58 andupper inner valve member 45, the shear pin S3 is disrupted and the plug92 moves downwardly into the air chamber 95, followed by the entrappedfluid between the members 45, I5. As a matter of fact. the disrupting ofthe frangible pin 93 will cause the air chamber 96 to eifectively suckthe entrapped fluid downwardly into it. Y

Following release of the plug 92, the upper inner valve member 45cooperates with the outer valve member 3l to shift the latter to portclosing position, in the manner described above in connection with theother trip device.

It is, accordingly, apparent that a side ported cementing apparatus Vhasbeen disclosed, in which the outer sleeve valve member 3| caribe shiftedto port closing position by fluid under pressure acting over a greaterarea than the annular cylindrical area associated with the outer valvemember itself. The full cross sectional area of the top cementing plug58 and inner sleeve valve 45 has the uid pressure imposed upon it, andthis entire total force is transmitted to the outer valve member throughthe keys 82. Accordingly, considerable force is available to overcomethe hydrostatic head of lcement slurry, or any other forces,

tending to resist full movement ofthe outer valve member 3i to portclosing position. Of course, if a large resistance is not encountered,then the upper inner valve member 45 need not offer its assistance toshifting of the outer valve member 3l to port closing position, sincethe fluid under pressure acting on the annular cylindrical area alonewould be sufcient to shift the outer sleeve valve downwardly to theextent required.

Should a greater force than can be exerted on the annular area benecessary, then the entrapped fluid is dissipated and the fluid underpressure, acting upon the entire cross sectional area of the topcementing plug 58 and upper sleeve 45 is available.

The top cementing plug 58 serves its normal function of confining thecharge of cement slurry in advance of it by slidably sealing with thewall of the casing during its downward passage. The top cementing plugassists in releasing the upper valve member 45, to open the elongateports 31, but still does not interfere with fluid passage into theannular cylinder space 38.

As indicated above, the lower plug or trip device 5I serves to releasethe entrapped fluid between the upper and lower sleeve valve members 45,I5.

The inventors claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described: a tubular member having aside port and adapted to form part of a conduit string positionable lina well bore; a sleeve valve member shiftably mounted on the exterior ofsaid tubular member and disposed initially in position to allow uidpassage through said port; and hydraulically operable means within saidtubular member engageable with said valve member for shifting said valvemember along said tubular member to port closing position completelyover said port upon movement of said hydraulically operable means withinsaid tubularmember to pre-Y vent flow of fluids through said portbetween the interior and exterior of said tubular member.

2. In apparatus of the character described: a tubular member having aside port and adapted to form part of a conduit string positionable in awell bore; a sleeve valve member shiftably mounted on the exterior ofsaid tubular member and disposed initially in position to allowfluidpassage through said port; a sleeve Within said tubular member having auid passage; means operatively engageable with said sleeve andY valvemember for shifting said Vvalve member along said tubularmember to portclosing position upon shifting of said sleeve within said tubularmember; and means adapted to be lowered through said conduit string intoengagement with said sleeve to obstruct said passage for enabling saidsleeve to be shifted hydraulically to effect shifting of said valvemember along said tubular member to port closing position completelyover said port upon shifting of said sleeve within said tubular member,in order that said sleeve valve member prevents flow of uid through saidport between the interior and exterior of said tubular member.

3. In apparatus of the character described: a tubular member having aside port and adapted to form part of a conduit string positionable in awell bore; a sleeve valve member shiftably mounted on the exterior ofsaid tubular member and selectively positionable in open or closedposition with respect to said port to allow or prevent flow of fluidthrough said port between the interior and exterior of said tubularmember; and shiftable hydraulically operable means Within said tubularmember engageable with ksaid valve member for shifting said valve memberalong said tubular member between port opening and port closingpositions, upon shifting of said hydraulically operable means withinsaid tubular member, to determine the passage of fluid through said portbetween the interior and exterior of said tubular member.

4. In apparatus of the character described: a tubular member having aside port and adapted to form part of a conduit string positionable in awell bore; a sleeve valve member shiftably mounted on the exterior ofsaid tubular member and disposed initially in position to allow fluidpassage through said port; hydraulically operable means on said tubularmember for shifting said valve member along said tubular member to portclosing position to prevent uid flow through said port between theinterior and exterior of said tubular member; said tubular member havingan opening through which uid under pressure can be fed into saidhydraulically operablemeans to operate said hydraulically operablemeans; and shiftable means engageable with said'valve member and closingsaid opening; said last-mentioned means being operable to engage andshift said valve member to port closing position. Y

5. In apparatus of the character described: a tubular member having aside port and adapted to form .part of a conduit string positionable ina well bore; a sleeve valve member shiftably mounted on the exterior ofsaid tubular member and disposedinitially in-position to allow uidpassage through said port; hydraulically operable means onV said tubularmember for shifting said valve member along said tubular member to portclosing position to prevent iiuid flow through said port between theinterior andexterior of said tubular member; said tubular member havingan opening through which yiuid under'pressure can be fed into saidhydraulically operable means to operate said hydraulically operablemeans; and shiftable means within said tubularl member extendingthroughsaid opening and engageable with said valve member to shift said valvemember to port closingposition.

6. In apparatus .of the character describedr a tubularmember having aside port and adapted, I V.to form part of a conduit string positionablein a well bore; Va sleeve valve member 5 shiftablyV g mounted ontheexteriorjof said tubular member assegna and disposed initially infposiion to al1ow fluid passage through said port; hydraulically operablemeans on said tubular member for 'shifting said valve member along saidtubular vr'nernbei' to port closing position to prevent iiuid iiovvthrough said port between the interior and exterior of said vtubularmember; said tubular member having an opening through which 'fluid underpressure can be fed into said hydraulically operable means to operatesaid hydraulically operable means; and shiftable means Within saidtubular member extending through said opening into engagement with saidvalve member to shift said valve member to port closing position; saidlastmentioned means being positioned across said opening to Y'close thesame.

7. In apparatus of the character described: 'a tubular member havingaside port and adapted to form part of a conduit string po'sitionable ina Well bore; a "sleeve valve member shft'ably mounted on the exterior ofsaid tubular member and disposed initiallyin yposition to allow uidpassage through said port; hydraulically operable means on said 'tubularmember for shifting said valve membe'ralohg said tubularmember to portclosing position 'to prevent iiuid iiow 'through said port between theinterior and e'xterior 'of said tubular member; 'said tubular memberhaving an opening through'which 'fluid under 'pressure 'can be fed 'intosaid hydraulically operable means to operate said hydraulically operablemeans; 'and a shiftable 'sleeve 'valve 'Within said tubular member'engageablewith said valve member and cl'c'si'ng Asaid opening; said"sleeve valve engaging 'said valve member to 'shift 'said valve 'member't'o 'port closing position. Y

V8. In 'apparatus 'of the character described: 'a tubular member having'a side port 'and adapted 'to 'form 'part of a 'conduit 'stringhostio'nable in a 'vvell bore; 'a sleeve "valve 'member 'shiftablymounted von'th'e exterior 'f Vsaid tubular member and disposed initiallyin position to 'allow iiui'd passage 'through said port;-liydraulic'ally operable 'means on 'said tubular member for shiftingsaid 'valve member along said 'tubular 'member to port closing positionito 'prevent 'huid flow Vthrough said 'port between the 'interior andexterior rof "said -tubular member; s'aid tubular member hav- "ing 'anopening 'thrugh 'which 'fluid under Dfss'u're can be fedin'to 'saidhydraulically Yoperable means to operate said Ahydraulically operablemeans; a shiftable sleeve valve Within "said tubular member 'extending'through said opening 'into 'engagement "with 'said valve memberYt'oshitt said valve member 'to port closing position;V said sleevevalve being adaptedt'o l"close 'said opening.

k9. In vapparatus `of Vthe character deseribem a tubular member having'a sidepcrt 'and adapted ft'o form part "of a l'conduitstringpositionable in a 'Well bore; l"a sleeve valve member "shiftab'ly ounted'on the-exterior of said tubular member; hydraulically operable means on'said 'tubular Vmember fo'r shiftingr 's'aid valve i'ri-iernber V'along`said 'tubular member-'to determine thepass'age fof Y*fluid throughfsaid pOlt; said tubular member having an 'opening through V`vv-hicl'ifluid pressure can be fed 'into said hydraulically operable means `tooperate said hydraulically "operable means;and'shiftablemeansengageablewith said valve memberandcl'osingsaidopeningsaid A l2 ,to formgpart ola conduit stringDositionableV in a well bore; an sleeve valve member shiftably mountedVon the exterior of said tubular member; hydraulically operable means onsaid tubular member for shifting said valve member along said tubularmember to determine the passage of rluid through said port; said tubularmember having an opening through which fluid under pressure can be fedinto said hydraulically operable means to'operate said hydraulicallyoperable means; and 'shi'ftable means within said tubular memberextending through said opening `into engagement with said valve member;said last-mentioned means being adapted to close said opening; saidlast-mentioned means engaging said valve member'toshift said valvemember along v'said Vtubular member to determine the passage of fluid"through said port.

l1. -In apparatus of 'the character described: a tubular member having aside port and adapted to Irm part of a conduit string positionable in Vaveli bore; 'a sleeve valve member shiftably mounted on the exterior ofsaid tubular member; hydraulically `operable means on said tubu.- `iarmember for shifting said valve member along said tubular member todetermine the passage of fluid through said port; said tubular memberhaving an opening through which flu-id under pressure can be fed lintoSaid hydraulically oper- 'able means to operate said hydraulicallyoperable means; andra shiftable Vsleeve valve within said tubular memberextending through said -opening into engagement with `said valve member;said sleeve valve being adapted to close said opening.; said sleevevalve engaging said val-ve :member to shift/said valve member along saidtubular member to determine the passage 'of A:fluid through said port. Y

.12. In apparatus :of the 'character described: a 'tubular member havinga side port and adapted to `form .part of a lconduit 'stringEpositionable in Va well bore; 'a flower sleeve valve "m said tubularmember disposed initially across said Dort to close the same; an upper'sleeve valve in said tubular member movable toward sadflower `sleevevalve; and means on one of ysaid sleeve 'valves vcommunicable with theyinternal space between -said tubular `xnenlber and between Said sleevevalves for enabling fluid to be removed from such internal spacewhile'said port is rclosed,

:13. Inapparatus 'of the Icharacterdescribed: a tubular member 'having aside Sport and adapted to form `part vci? a conduit string pcsitionablein `a well bore; 'a lower sleeve valve in said tubular memberrdis'posedinitiallylacrosssaid port teclose the same, `said -valve fhaving 'apassage therethrough; 'means :for 'closing Asaid passage; an uppersleeve valve in-said tubular member mov able 4toward vsaid lower valvemember, said upper sleeve valve havingapassage; vmeans for closingsaid-upper valve passage; one of said closing .means including-instruzrientalities Acommunieable with the internalspace within saidtubular .means and between said valve -for enabling duid to 'be Vremovedlfrom such internal space.

14. 'In apparatus vof the character described: a tubular member vhavingaside Sport and adapted -to form part `of `a conduit string,positionab'le 'in a Well bore; a-lowersleeve valve in said 'tubular-member -disposedinitiallyacross said port toclose the same, said valvehaving a .passage thererthrough; means vfor closing said passage; annupper sleeve valve in said tubularmen'ibermovable toward said-'lower"valve, said upper valve having a passage; Ameans 'forv closing 'saidupper valve passage; 'meansior v"closing 'the `passage through saidlower sleeve valve including instrumentalities communicable with theinternal space within said tubular means and between said valve forenabling fluid to be removed from such internal space.

15. In apparatus of the character described: a tubular member having aside port and adapted to form part of a conduit string positionable in awell bore; a sleeve valve member shiftably mounted on the exterior ofsaid tubular member; hydraulically operable means on said tubular memberfor shifting said valve member longitudinally along said tubular memberto determine passage of uid through said port; said tubular memberhaving an opening through which uid under pressure can be fed into saidhydraulically operable means to oper-ate said hydraulically operablemeans; an inner sleeve valve having a fluid passage and disposed acrosssaid opening to close the same; and a plug engageable with said innersleeve valve to obstruct said uid passage to enable downward shifting ofsaid inner sleeve valve to expose said opening; said plug being movabledown said conduit string with a portion of said plug in slidable sealingengagement with said conduit string, said portion being adapted to enterand be retained within said inner sleeve valve.

16. In apparatus of the character described: a tubular member having aside port and adapted to form part of a conduit string positionable in awell bore; -a sleeve valve member shiftably mounted on the exterior' ofsaid tubular member; hydraulically operable means on said tubular memberfor shifting said valve member longitudinally along said tubular memberto determine passage of iuid through said port; said tubular memberhaving an opening through which fluid under pressure can be fed intosaid hydraulically operable means to operate said hydraulically operablemeans; an inner sleeve valve having a fluid passage and disposed acrosssaid opening to close the same; and a plug engageable with said innersleeve valve to obstruct said Huid passage to enable downward shiftingof said inner sleeve valve to expose said opening; said plug comprisingflexible material adapted to slidably seal with said conduit string andadapted to be deformed into said inner sleeve valve free frominterference with said opening.

17. In apparatus of the character described: a tubular member having aside port and ad-apted to form part of a conduit string; a sleeve valvewithin and shiftable with respect to said tubular member and disposedacross said port to close the same, said valve having a passage ofmaterially less diameter than the inside diameter of said conduit; and aplug engageable with said sleeve to close said passage, said plugcomprising a main inwardly compressible elastic body normally of adiameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the conduit to slidablyseal with the conduit and adapted to be deformed into and retainedwithin said sleeve valve passage free from interference with said port.

REUBEN C. BAKER. BENJAMIN LEWIS AUSTIN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,167,747 Dyer Aug. 1, 1939 2,257,784 Brown Oct. 7, 19412,310,572 Burns Feb. 9, 1943 2,335,387 Cantin Nov. 30, 1943 2,370,833Baker Mar. 6, 1945 2,382,578 Penick Aug. 14, 1945 2,429,912 Baker Oct.28, 1947 2,435,016' Pitts Jan. 27, 1948 2,438,992 Childers Apr. 6, 19482,442,544 Johnson June 1, 1948 2,488,819 Larkin Nov. 22, 1949

